The annual Merriwa event celebrates the town's rich wool heritage since the 1830's.

From its humble beginnings, the festival today attracts thousands of visitors from far and wide each June long weekend.

Despite the tough drought conditions of the last year, event organiser Peta Luke is optimistic about this years' event.

"It's been a quiet year, but as they say, the show must go on and we are very excited. We have over 100 stalls this year and expect to see visitors numbers around 6000."

ROSTO opens the festival from 5.30pm on Friday night (June 7), with an evening of great music from The Oh's, covering aclassic rock to classic country.

Tickets are available from the Merriwa Information Centre or on the door at the event itself.

Everyone's festival favourite is the Saturday noon parade "the running of the sheep" led by a flock of some 200 sheep in red socks down Merriwa main street.

The weekend will host a range of displays and entertainment from wool spinning demonstrations, GJ's Laser Tag, shearing displays, the Upper Hunter Motoring Vintage Vehicle Display, and working sheep dog displays to name but a few.

Sparkles the Clown and various kids amusements will ensure the younger visitors are entertained as will the fireworks display.

Local Merriwa quilter Lenore Taylor is once again busy preparing the annual 'Hanging of the Quilts' and on Saturday.

Try your luck in the Hanging of the Quilts raffle for your chance to win a beautiful hand crafted quilt made by some of the region's best quilters.

The bush poets breakfast kicks off Sunday morning the right way.

This walk up bush poets competition offers a prize pool of $500, with the breakfast MC special guest and judge Australian champion poet Peter Mace.

Pick up your Rosto Festival of the Fleeces program, available at the Merriwa and Scone VICs or on the website www.festivalofthefleeces.com.au and Facebook.